Switch mechanism



Oct. 4, 1955 T. WENSEL, JR

SWITCH MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 14, 1949 INVENTOR.

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Oct. 4, 1955 T. WENSEL, JR

SWITCH MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 14, 1949 INVENTOR. p/g afir Mmi'e (l a/M ZZJ United States Patent SWITCH MECHANISM Theodor Weusel, Jr., Kenmore, N. Y., assignor to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, North Tonawanda, N. Y., a corporation of ()hio Application June 14, 1949, Serial No. 98,893

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-104) This invention relates to electric switches, and concerns particularly switches for effecting the control of a large number of related electrical circuits.

in various machines and instruments, for example in electric organs, the occasion arises for controlling a large number of related electrical circuits by means which are relatively compact, easy to fabricate, and which can be accurately and adjustably controlled. The switch mechanism provided by the present invention has these purposes particularly in view.

it isaccording'ly an object of the present invention to provide a multiple contact switch mechanism, of improved construction and improved operating characteristics, which is compact, and which can be readily fabricated at low cost.

it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved multiple contact switch mechanism, of the type defined, wherein the movement of the various switch contact members is positively and accurately controlled, and wherein adjustments can be readily made in accordance with various operating conditions to insure accuracy in the desired switch contact movements.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth for purposes of illustration.

in the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an electric organ incorporating a switch mechanism constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a switch block or mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, in accordance with one preferred embodiment thereof;

Fig. 3 is a partial end view of the switch block illustrated in Fig. 2, upon an enlarged scale, and with various parts broken away for clarity of illustration;

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of the switch structure of Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale, and taken as indicated by the line 4-.4 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 5 is a partial top view of the switch structure, with parts broken away for clarity;

Fig. 6 is a partial end view of the structure, looking from the left end as seen in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the structure of Fig. 6 on the line '7-7 thereof;

Fig. 8 is a perspective detail of a switch contact positioning block forming a part of the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a partial view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating a modified form of structure;

Fig. 10 is a partial view, also similar to Fig. 4, illustrating a modified arrangement;

Fig. 11 is a view of a modified form of switch block or switch mechanism, constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, and wherein a rotary movement ,of the switch contacts is employed to effect the clos- 2,719,892 Patented Oct. 4, 1955 ing thereof, parts being broken away for clarity of illustration;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the switch structure of Fig. 11 on the line 1212 thereof;

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a lever member, and associated parts, forming a part of the structure;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged partial top view of the structure of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged end view of the switch block of Fig. 11, as seen from the right end thereof, and with parts broken away for clarity of illustration.

The switch contact mechanism of the present invention may be employed in various installations and uses wherein a multiplicity of related electrical circuits are to be controlled. In certain of its aspects, however, the contact mechanism of the present invention is particularly adapted for the solution of problems presented in the manufacture of electric organs, and in the drawings the switch mechanism is illustrated as applied to such use.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, in Fig. 1 there is illustrated diagrammatically an electric organ structure comprising a casing or console 10 having a pair of keyboard manuals 12 and 14, and a pedal clavier 16.

The structure further comprises a set of stop tablets 18, and tone generators 2% which in the particular structure illustrated are in the form of reeds electrically operable to produce tones, as more particularly set forth in the patent to Hoschke No. 2,015,014, dated September 17, 1935. The reeds are activated by a series of associated pallet valves 22 arranged to control the transmission of air to the reeds from a blower 24.

The structure still further comprises a volume control pedal as indicated at 26, and an amplifier mechanism 28 by means of which the electric impulses generated by the reeds are amplified and transmitted to suitable loud speaker mechanism.

In instruments of this type devices known as coupler boards, indicated at 30 in Fig. 1, are employed for controlling the action of the pallet valves 22 conjointly from the operation of the keyboards and the pedal clavier, as the case may be, and the stop tablets, in accordance with the stops depressed and the keys actuated. More particularly, the coupler boards include a multiplicity of electrical circuits whereby electromagnets associated with the pallet valves 22 are selectively energized by the key stops, so that the desired reed notes are sounded.

A multiple switch block or mechanism, which is particularly adapted for such use, is more particularly illustrated in the drawings. Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2-8, the switch mechanism shown comprises a base or block 32 upon which is mounted a series of holding strips or bars 34, by means of screws 36. The bars 34 form clamping means for a multiplicity of horizontally extending wires 38, the wires presenting exposed portions between each set of bars, as shown, such exposed portions being arranged to form one set or the stationary contactors of the various switch contact mechanisms, as will presently appear. The wires 38 are bent upwardly at one end thereof, as indicated at 4i) in Fig. 3, thus forming terminals adapted for connection to the circuits with which the switch mechanism of the invention is associated.

The movable contacts, cooperable with the fixed contacts or wires 38, are in the form of a multiplicity of vertically extending relatively thin contact wires 42, the lower ends of which normally lie between the horizontal contact wires 38, as best shown in Fig. 4. Wires 42 are carried by a series of positioning blocks 44, one of which is shown in perspective detail in Fig. 8. As will be seen, the block 44 is provided with a series of projecting stud portions 46 against which the wires 42 are urged and normally held by their own resiliency, whereby the stud projections 46 form an accurate positioning means for maintaining the wires 42 in predetermined position with respect to the cooperative contact wires 38. Each wire 42 preferably has a flattened portion, as indicated at 48, to facilitate its lateral flexibility upon engagement with its cooperative contact wire 38, as will presently appear. Blocks 44 are preferably of molded insulating material, the wires 42 being molded therein. The base 32 and support bars 34 are also of insulating material providing insulation for the wires 38.

The positioning blocks 44 are carried in predetermined spaced relation along the length of a series of horizontal operating bars 50, there being as many bars and blocks 4-4 as necessary to provide the number of switch contacts desired. Each bar 50, which is angular in cross section, Fig. 3, is carried at its ends by a pair of flexure springs 52 and 54, Fig. 4. The flexure springs 54 are provided at their upper ends with laterally turned portions connected to the horizontal flange portions of the bars 50 by suitable means such as rivets 56. The lower ends of the springs 54 are secured to a frame channel 58 in turn secured to the base 32 and extending transversely thereof. Each spring further includes a laterally turned portion 60 which carries a screw 62 threaded into the upper portion of the channel 58. By adjustment of the screws 62, the tension of each flexure spring 54 may be individually controlled.

Similarly, the flexure springs 52 are carried by a laterally extending frame channel 64, each spring being provided with a laterally turned portion 66 cooperable with the screw 68 by means of which the tension of the fiexure spring may be controlled, along with the tensioning and positioning of the flexure springs 54.

The laterally turned upper ends of the flexure springs 52 are secured to the bars 50 by means of a series of cotter pins 70, which pins are also operative to connect each switch bar 50 to its corresponding actuating armature 72, one armature being provided for each bar. A felt piece 74 insures noiseless operation of the parts at the connected joint. Each armature 72 is associated with an electromagnet 76, the several electromagnets thus provided being mounted upon a yoke-like frame 78, Fig. 3, secured to and extending laterally of the base 32. Each electromagnet structure. in addition to the movable armature 72, includes an adjustable but otherwise stationary armature member 30 held in adjusted position by means of a bracket 82 secured to the electromagnetic frame by a screw 84. Each bracket 82 is provided with a longitudinal slot through which the screw 84 extends, whereby the longitudinal adjustment of the armature piece may be effected, as will be understood. The movable armature 72 is provided with a felt abutment Washer 86 so that the movable armature 72, when pulled to the right as seen in Fig. 4 by energization of the electromagnet, will never actually contact or abut the stationary armature piece 80. However, by longitudinal adjustment of the fixed armature piece the force applied to the movable armature by energization of the electromagnet may be adjustably controlled.

It will be seen that by adjustment of the armature piece 80 to control the electromagnetic force of operation, and by adjustment of the positioning of the flexure springs 52 and 54 by the screws 62 and 63, an accurately controlled power movement of the various shiftable contact wires 42 may be secured. This arrangement, in combination with means presently to be described for accurately determining the normal position of each actuating bar, insures an accurately controlled engagement between the wires 33 and 42 as the switch operating bars are shifted rightwardly, as seen in Fig. 4, to effect the switch contact. As will be understood, the wires 42 are normally held by their own resiliency in contact with the positioning abutments 46 of the positioning blocks 44, insuring an accurate positioning of the shiftable contact wires at all times. When the wires 42 engage the fixed wires 38 to close the switch contacts, they flex away from the positioning stops or abutments 46 during any further excursion of the operating bars 50 after the contact is made.

To determine and accurately control the normal positioning of the actuating bars 50, there is provided at the end of the base 32 remote from the electromagnets a transversely extending bracket 88, Figs. 4 and 6, this bracket carrying a screw 90 in alignment with each actuating bar 50, adjustably locked in place by a lock nut 92. A flexure spring plate 94 is carried by bracket 88, this plate being suitably notched to provide fingers 96, Fig. 6, the upper ends of which are adjusted by the screws 90, and arranged to abut the felt padded ends 98 of the actuating bars. As will be understood, the flexure springs 52 and 54 normally hold the bars 50 against the fingers 96 of plate 94, in accordance with the adjustable positioning thereof, to hold the contact wires 42 and 38 separated. Energization of any electromagnet 76 causes its associated armature 72 to move to the right, as seen in Fig. 4, to effect the closing of the switch contacts associated with its connected actuating bar 50. The several adjustments provided, as has been previously explained, provides for the insured controlled movement of the switch contacts.

The electromagnet support yoke 78 on its upper face carries a bracket 100 suitably perforated as indicated at 102, Figs. 3 and 4, to provide passage for electric cables carrying leads for connection with the wires 42, whereby the wires may be conveniently connected into the electric circuits to be controlled. Such cables are adapted to lie within the angular actuating bars 50, as will be understood, and the various leads are taken therefrom for connection to the upper ends of the wires 42. One cable is shown at 103, Fig. 3.

In Fig. 9 an embodiment is illustrated which is substantially the same as that previously described except that in this instance there is provided superposed above each actuating bar 50a (corresponding in structure and in function to the bars 50 previously described) an additional stationary bar member 104 to which the upper ends of the wires 42a are aflixed. The bars 104 are supported at their ends by a pair of stationary support brackets 106 and 108 connected at their lower ends to the base 3212, said brackets being provided with openings 110 therethrough for permitting free longitudinal shifting movement of the operating bars 50a. It will be seen that the operation of the structure is the same as previously described, except that the upper ends of the wires 42a are fixed which in some instances may facilitate connection with terminal leads to the other parts of the circuit. Also, movement of the leads connected with contact wires 42a becomes unnecessary which in certain instances may be desirable.

In Fig. 10 an embodiment is illustrated which may be the same as that previously described in Figs. 2-8, except for the electromagnet armature, and associated parts. In this instance each actuating bar 50b, corresponding to the actuating bars previously described, is provided at its end with an upturned felted portion 112 cooperable with an adjustment screw 114 carried by the end of the electromagnet armature 72b. Armature 72b is provided with a pair of spaced upstanding lugs 116 and 118 cooperable with a felted projection 120 formed on an extension of the frame piece 10021. This frame piece also carries a projection 122 to which is secured one end of a tension spring 124, the other end of which is connected to the armature abutment 116.

In the operation of the structure of Fig. 10 the power applied to the armature 72b may be adjustably controlled by adjustment of the auxiliary stationary armature piece 8017, as in the embodiment previously described, but the movable armature 72b always travels between the same fixed limits determined by abutments 116-118-120. Screw 114 may be adjusted to control the amount of motion which will be imparted to the switch actuating bar 50b by such travel of the electromagnet armature. The adjustability of the actuating bar motion thus provided may in certain installations be desirable. The tension spring 124 normally holds the armature 72b,- when deenergized, to the left as seen in Fig. 10.

In Figs. 1115 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein a rotary movement of the actuating switch contact bar effects the selective opening and closing of the switch contacts. The structure illustrated comprises a base 130 carrying a plurality of transversely extending insulated bars 132, the upper faces of which carry fixed contact wires 134 corresponding in function and purpose to the wires 38 in the embodiment of the invention previously described. As shown in Fig. 15, these wires may be upwardly turned as indicated at 136, for facility of connection with connecting circuit leads, as will be understood.

Positioned above the base 130, in parallel spaced relation, is a series of contact actuating bars 138, corresponding in general function to the bars 50 previously described. As best shown in Fig. 13, these bars 138 are channel-shaped in cross section.

The lower face portion of each bar is upwardly turned at one end 140, Fig. 12, for pivotal connection with a stud 142 carried by a frame bracket 144 secured to the base 130 and extending transversely thereof. To provide for longitudinal adjustment of the bars 138, each stud 142 carries an auxiliary support bracket 146, the bracket being secured to its bar 138 by means of screws 148 which project through a slot in the bracket so as to permit such adjustment. The surface of stud 142 engaged by the bar end 140 is sufficiently elongated so as to preserve the pivot connection in all longitudinal adjusted positions of the bar.

As best shown in Fig. 13, each channel bar 138 is formed at its opposite end with a pair of projections 150 which fit into slots 152 of a lever member 154, there being one lever member provided for each actuating bar. Each lever 154 is arranged to be firmly fixed to and carried by a stud 156 pivotally carried by a frame bracket 158 secured to and extending transversely of the switch structure base.

A plurality of electromagnets 160 is provided, there being one electromagnet for each switch actuating bar, the electromagnets being supported by a frame bracket 162 upstanding from and extending transversely of the switch frame base. The electromagnets are secured to the frame by screws 161 which extend through slots 163 in the frame, whereby to permit vertical adjustment of the electromagnets to a proper position. The armature 164 of each electromagnet is limited in its upward travel by a felted Washer 166, and as best shown in Fig. 12, each armature has its lower end slotted to receive the end portion 168, Fig. 13, of the lever 154. The lever end portion and the slotted end of the armature are pivotally connected by suitable pivot means such as a pin 170, Fig. 12.

The end 168 of each lever 154 is further provided with a laterally turned flange portion 172 adapted for contact with the upper felted surface of a transversely extending frame bracket 174 forming a stop means for limiting the counterclockwise movement of the lever, as seen in Fig. 15, and the lowering movement of the leverconnected electromagnet armature.

It will be seen that by reason of the connections described, as each electromagnet is energized, its associated armature 164 will be raised an amount permitted by the stop washer 166, Fig. 12, whereby to impart a clockwise (Fig. 15) rotational movement to the associated lever 154, thus causing the lever, the pivot stud 156, and the connected contact bar 138 to rock as a unit about the axis of the stud and the bar, the stud during such movement pivoting within the support frame bracket 158.

The return or counterclockwise (Fig. 15) movement of the lever, upon deenergiZatio-n of the electromagnet, is induced in part by the weight of the electromagnet armature, and in part by a torsion spring 176,- for each unit, anchored at one end to the pivot stud 156 and at its other end to a stationary anchorage washer 178 secured to the frame bracket 158. The washers 178 are provided with a plurality of slots 180 disposed in spaced relation peripherally thereof, whereby the torsional tension of the springs can be adjusted by selective interconnection of the spring ends with the washer slots.

The channel actuating bars 138 carry insulated blocks 181 (Fig. 15) having spring contact wires 182 molded therein, the lower ends of which are adapted for contact with the wires 134 upon clockwise movement of the bars, as the electromagnets are selectively energized, whereby to effect the desired switch contact action. As will be understood, as any switch bar is operated, the entire set of contacts associated therewith will be closed. The upper ends 184 of the contact wires 182 may be readily connected to cable leads extending longitudinally of the channel bars 138, the channel shaping of the bars facilitating the positioning of the lead cables and the making of the desired connections. Such a cable lead is indicated at 186, Fig. 15, lying within one of the chan nel switch actuating bars 138, as shown. The contact wires 182 may preferably be formed as thin leaf springs, as shown.

The longitudinal adjustability of the channel bars 138, previously described, facilitates the accurate alignment of the switch contact wires 182 and 134, as will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 12. The vertical adjustability of the electromagnets, by virtue of slots 163 and screws 161, permits adjustment of the pivotal range of travel of the contact actuating bars. To adjustably control the power of each electromagnet, the electromagnets are preferably constituted as previously described in reference to Figs. 2-8, viz., each includes, in addition to the movable armature 164, an adjustable stationary armature piece 187 adjustably held by a bracket 188 and associated screw 190, Fig. 15.

It will be seen that the structure provides adjustability, positive control, and ease of fabrication, as in the embodiments of the invention previously described.

When applied to the organ structure of Fig. l, the various electromagnets hereinbefore described may be connected for selective actuation by the stop tablets 18, and the leads previously described connected to the key circuits and to the valve pallet magnets, whereby the pallet valves will be selectively operated in accordance with the actuated keys and stops.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific structures shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to such specific structures, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A switch mechanism comprising a plurality of fixed contact wires, a plurality of movable contact wires cooperable therewith, a pivotally mounted operating bar carrying said movable contact wires, means for adjusting the longitudinal position of the bar to align said fixed and movable contact wires, an electromagnet for pivotally operating said bar, torsional restoring means for said bar, and means for adjusting the torsion of said restoring means.

2. A switch mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the movable contact wires have extending contact portions which are parallel to one another and which are straight except for curved tips adapted to contact the fixed contact wires.

3. A switch mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fixed contact wires and the movable contact wires are substantially equal in number.

4. A switch mechanism comprising a plurality of fixed contact Wires, a plurality of movable contact Wires cooperable therewith, a pivotally mounted operating bar carrying said movable contact wires, an electromagnet, means for pivotally operating said bar in response to energization of said electromagnet, torsional restoring means for said bar, and means for adjusting the torsion of said restoring means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Maquaire June 21, 1892 Lowenstein et al Jan. 14, 1919 

